FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore right-hander Janecia Hemingway tossed a one-hitter to give Francis Marion University a 6-2 win over Erskine College and a split of Thursday's (Feb. 27) non-conference softball doubleheader.  The Flying Fleet won the opener 3-1 in eight innings.

Francis Marion improves to 16-3 on the season.  The Patriots continue non-conference play this Saturday as FMU hosts King University (Tenn.) for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.  As part of an Extra Day Extra Play promotion, admission for everyone will be $3.

Hemingway allowed only one base runner (a walk) through the first six innings of game two, at one point retiring 14 batters in a row.  After issuing a lead-off walk in the seventh, shortstop Parker Birch lined an RBI-double down the left field line to break up the no-hit bid.  Hemingway, a Conway native, finished with eight strikeouts.

The Patriot offense came to life in game two to score one run in the second and third innings and two runs in the fourth and sixth frames. Junior infielder Ashtyn Patterson led FMU with a 2-for-4 nightcap that included a pair of runs scored, while freshman right fielder Carson Shannon registered a two-run double.  Freshman catcher Sarah Harkins added an RBI-triple, while sophomore first baseman Addie May delivered a run-scoring single and freshman shortstop Megan Matsil an RBI grounder.

In the first game, FMU junior right-handed pitcher Katelyn Ellard (9-3) registered a complete game, striking out 10 batters. She surrendered only six hits.

Ellard and Erskine righty Hannah Houge (2-5) were locked in a pitchers' duel, allowing one hit to each side and no runs through six innings.  In the seventh inning, both teams scored unearned runs to send the game into extra innings. The Patriot tally scoring on a two-out passed ball.

Utilizing the international tie-breaker rule of placing a runner on second base to start each extra inning, Erskine (2-9) used a pair of run-scoring doubles by Allison Neeley and Shi Cain to plate the deciding two runs for the 3-1 win.

Sophomore designated player Liberty Schultz and freshman pinch hitter Savana Rosson had FMU's two hits in the first contest.

Post-game comments from FMU head coach Stacey Vallee

 

Erskine College 3, Francis Marion Univ. 1 (Feb 27, 2020 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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Erskine College........ 000 000 12 -  3  6  1      (2-8)
Francis Marion Univ. 000 000 10 -  1  2  1      (15-3)
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Pitchers: Erskine College - Hannah Houge and Taylor Antley. Francis Marion Univ. -
Katelyn Ellard and Sarah Harkins.
Win-Hannah Houge (2-5)  Loss-Katelyn Ellard (9-3)  T-2:18  A-60
Weather: Sunny,5,Winds WNW @ 14 mph

Francis Marion Univ. 6, Erskine College 2 (Feb 27, 2020 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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Erskine College........ 000 000 2 -  2  1  2      (2-9)
Francis Marion Univ. 011 202 X -  6  7  0      (16-3)
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Pitchers: Erskine College - Kelci Brown; Chloe Hamilton (4) and Megan Deal; Taylor Lawhon.
Francis Marion Univ. - Janecia Hemingway and Sarah Harkins.
Win-Janecia Hemingway (4-0)  Loss-Kelci Brown (0-2)  T-2:05
Weather: 50,clear skies,winds @ 6mph
K. Brown faced 2 batters in the 4th.